In a poor neighborhood filled with old shops and restaurants, most of the residents were elderly people selling just enough to make a living. Inside one of the small apartments, although it looked poor, it was tidy and smelled clean.
It had one bedroom, a living room, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. On the stove, a pot was cooking over a low flame, releasing gentle steam. A young girl entered, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, her honey-brown hair tied messily with an old sponge hair tie. She wore glasses and rushed to turn off the stove. She lifted the pot lid but quickly dropped it after it burned her thin, pale hand. She grabbed a spoon and began stirring the rice.
Suddenly, her old-fashioned, non-smart phone rang. She answered quickly, her voice sweet and gentle.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sora. I'll send you the new chapter right now."
Sora's voice was cold.
"You're fired, Misa."
Misa's voice trembled. "Please… I'll send every chapter on time. I won't be late again."
Just then, the cry of a baby echoed.
"Waa… waa… waa…"
Misa rushed to the baby, lifted them in her arms, and the crying stopped instantly.
Meanwhile, Sora continued, her words like poison.
"See? You're not fit to be a comic writer with your siblings around. Your mother abandoned them—do you think you can take care of them alone?"
Misa's big green eyes, framed by thick lashes, began to fill with tears. Her small nose and cheeks flushed red.
Sora went on mercilessly.
"Since I'm such a considerate person, I'll give you some advice. Go to Nova Street, Lex Building, Apartment 36. They need a maid there. That job will suit you better."
Misa tried to speak through her tears. "Please, don't do th—"
But the call ended. She tried to call back, her hands shaking, but all she heard was:
"The number you are trying to reach is out of coverage. Please try again later."
---
Somewhere else…
Loud music roared through the air. Thousands of fans screamed the name Loran as they sang along with the band. The three members shared the stage energy.
The lead singer was tall and muscular, with black hair falling over his forehead like bangs. He wore loose chain-covered jeans and a leather jacket. The violinist had blond hair and striking blue eyes, while the drummer, unlike the others, had daring blue hair, brown eyes, and pale skin. Sometimes, they all joined in the singing.
Though there were only three of them, the stage blazed with their passion.
After the show ended, the lead singer removed his earpiece and microphone, setting them down with a tired, bored expression.
The blond man came up behind him angrily, grabbing his shoulder and turning him around. Though he seemed shorter than Loran, his tone was sharp.
"Loran, what are you trying to do? Why did you leave before the concert was over? Your actions could destroy the band we built with our own hands after all these years!"
Loran moved aside without interest.
The blond man turned him back violently and punched him in the face. Loran raised his fist to hit back, but stopped midway.
The blue-haired drummer quickly stepped in, pulling Loran away.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you two doing? Is this the best you can do? Why did you attack him, Kuro?"
Loran shoved him aside angrily.
Kuro growled, his deep voice full of frustration.
"Look at what he's doing! I have no idea what he's trying to achieve!"
Loran's voice was tense, veins showing on his hand, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"I said I want to quit singing! You refused to end the contract!"
Kuro lunged at Loran again, but the drummer—Jin—held him back.
"Let me go, Jin! Let me go!" Kuro shouted.
Loran simply walked out and headed to a car. Sitting in the back seat, legs spread, head leaning on the headrest, eyes closed, he looked exhausted.
His personal assistant hesitated before speaking, looking at him through the rearview mirror.
"Loran, I've hired you a new maid. She'll take care of you."
Loran spoke lazily without opening his eyes.
"Fire her. I don't want her."
The assistant's voice turned sharp.
"Loran, can't you see how much you've been neglecting yourself? You need someone to look after you."
Loran didn't answer. He just gazed out at the snow. The whole city was covered in white.
---
In Misa's small apartment, she held the baby in her arms, feeding her milk, while she herself ate rice and stared blankly into space.
The door burst open, and a little boy rushed in with a teenage girl beside him.
"Sis! Sis! Sis! I got first place in the exam!"
Misa smiled, holding out one arm to hug him while still holding the baby in the other.
"You're my champion, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."
The boy grinned and kissed the baby, who was dressed in pink clothes, her short black hair falling softly over her pale forehead.
Meanwhile, the teenage girl headed straight to the pot, lifted the lid, saw it was rice, and slammed it back down with irritation.
"Rice again? Are you kidding me? And why is the house so cold? Didn't you turn on the heater?"
Misa smiled softly, her voice gentle.
"As soon as I get paid, I'll buy you whatever you want. I'm sorry, Rina."
Rina scoffed.
"It's the middle of the month. What salary are you talking about? You've been saying the same thing since the start of the month."
The boy gently held Misa's head.
"All we want is you. Don't listen to her."
Rina yanked his hair until he cried.
"Shut up with your lies," she sneered.
Misa stood up, shouting.
"Stop it! Don't hit him!"
Rina simply showed Misa her middle finger.
Misa shook her head, as if she no longer knew what to do.
---
That night, after putting the baby—Lily—to sleep, Misa spoke softly to her sister, who was scrolling on her phone while their brother studied quietly.
"Rina, take care of Lily if she wakes up. I left you her milk and diapers."
Rina pretended not to hear. Misa kissed her brother's cheek and left.
She took a taxi to a tall building in a luxurious district. The sign read Lex Building.
She entered the elevator, chose the 7th floor, and still had to go up a little more until she found Apartment 36.
Taking a deep breath, she rang the bell. An elderly cleaning lady opened the door, smiling.
"Are you the new housekeeper?"
Before Misa could answer, the woman continued.
"The door code is 69874. Make sure to lock it if you leave."
Then she hurried into the elevator before Misa could speak.
Misa stood there, torn between entering and walking away.
After a few minutes, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She turned on her phone's flashlight—the place was completely dark. Her hands trembled with fear.
She called out, "Hello? Hi? Is anyone here?"
But then she heard the door open. She quickly hid behind a curtain and turned off her flashlight.
The footsteps grew louder. The lights switched on, and she realized the curtain was just part of the decor—it was see-through from behind. She cursed herself as the steps came closer… and closer…
She held her breath until the curtain was pulled aside.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" she screamed.
It was Loran. He closed one eye at her loud scream, waiting until she stopped. She looked at him with a mix of innocence and fear.
His voice was calm and cold.
"How did you get into my house?"
She stayed silent, staring at him.
He repeated, holding his phone.
"Tell me, or I'll call the police."
Her eyes filled with tears, but she still didn't speak.
He yelled.
"Speak! I don't have time for this. Is it really this easy for people to disrespect someone's life? Watching me, fine. But coming into my home? That's crossing the line!"
She looked scared, but forced herself to speak, her voice trembling.
"What? Watch you? Who do you think you are? I'm the new housekeeper!"